PRESS RELEASE

CHICOPEE – The City of Chicopee Planning and Development Department announced today that the corner of Oak Street & West Main Street, will require a temporary road closure, detour and traffic shifts as the Uniroyal #28 North Ext. Building demolition progresses.

Roadway users are advised to use alternative routes until project work is completed. Detour signs and electronic message boards will be in place to alert motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists about the temporary road closure. All restrictions will be lifted following the process. The blocked-off areas for the public, as well as the demolition itself, can be seen in the cameras links below released by the city:

Beginning at 6 a.m., Wednesday, August 21st, contractor American Environmental in partnership with the Chicopee Police Department, are scheduled to temporarily close access to Oak Street; West Main Street traffic will have closed road signs past the driveway entrance to the Falls View Apartments. Access for local property owners, residents and businesses will be maintained at all times.

This configuration is anticipated to remain in place until Friday, August 24th, 2019. The precise timing of the work is subject to change due to weather or other factors.

“We understand the challenges and inconveniences that residents, businesses, bicyclists and pedestrians will experience during this short closure period and ask for patience and cooperation as we work to complete this demolition,” stated Lee Pouliot, Director of Planning & Development who has been the City lead on this project.

Demolition of Building #28N. Ext. represents the near-completion of abatement and demolition as part of the current phase of cleanup work at the property. The current phase addresses 5 structures that were abated of hazardous materials and demolished. This phase represents the 5th phase of abatement a demolition work advanced by the City at the Uniroyal property.

“The work to allow for future reuse of the Uniroyal property continues and I thank the City Council for their support of this effort,” said Mayor Richard J. Kos.

One final phase of abatement and demolition work is currently under design to address hazardous building materials in Buildings #15, 27 and 42. Building #15 will be prepared for demolition while buildings #27, and #42 will be weatherized and preserved for possible redevelopment. Follow this phase of work, the city plans to release a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the redevelopment of the four Uniroyal Buildings preserved by the City and remaining Uniroyal property the RFP is anticipated in the next 18-24 months.